Seeking Repurposed Therapeutics for the Treatment of Motor Neuron Disease

• £5 million International Funding Call Open for Applications
• Funding of up to £750k is available for 5 projects

LifeArc, a self-funded, non-profit medical research organisation is seeking innovative proposals to boost drug repurposing in MND by investing at least £5m in preclinical translation. The funding call is part of LifeArc’s multi-million pound MND Translational Challenge to help accelerate scientific innovation and find new treatments for people living with MND. 

LifeArc will provide funding and support for researchers and SMEs who possess a repurposed drug or drug combination and a MND therapeutic target. Applicants will be required to develop project plans designed to deliver robust preclinical evidence to facilitate drug prioritization for future clinical studies in MND.

LifeArc is a hub for drug repurposing expertise and translational research (see the links to applicant resources below) and will provide successful applicants with advice and mentorship as well as access to a collaborative network of potential project partners to enable the best chance of project success. Its track record in drug repurposing is extensive and it will work closely with all funding recipients throughout the lifecycle of the project to help support the individual project needs. 

 Approaches of Interest: 

• Preclinical stage research for drug repurposing in MND with a repurposed drug or drug combination, and existing experimental evidence for an MND drug target, or, plans in the first milestone to evaluate a repurposed drug or drug combination against a relevant MND drug target.
• Project plans including biomarker guided approaches for repurposed drug-target engagement, mechanism and efficacy. 
• Repurposed candidates must have achieved a minimum of clinical proof of concept, successfully completing, phase 2 clinical trials or market authorised drugs for the existing indication, not MND.

Submission Information:

Submission of a completed Expression of Interest form is required as part of the application process. Please visit the LifeArc links below for more information about this funding call.

Useful Links:

• LifeArc ‑ Drug Repurposing in MND
• LifeArc ‑ Guiding Principles
• LifeArc ‑ Repurposing Toolkit
• LifeArc ‑ Webinar